Applicator for applying a coating material to a substrate

Abstract

An exemplary coating applicator is provided for evenly applying a material having an aggregate to a substrate. The exemplary applicator provides for a generally even distribution of the material and the aggregate the coating material to the surface such as a wall or a floor where it is desirable to have a finished, textured surface and a material having an evenly distributed aggregate.

I claim: 
     
       1. An applicator for applying a coating material, the applicator comprising:
 a backing member; 
 a liquid absorbing material located with respect to the backing member, the liquid absorbing material having a first side arranged adjacent the backing member and an opposite second side, the liquid absorbing material defining a channel extending from the first side to the second side; and 
 a support member extending from the backing member in the channel and engaging the liquid absorbing material, at least a portion of the support member arranged with respect to the backing member and the second side of the liquid absorbing material. 
 
     
     
       2. The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the support member is arranged below the backing member and at least a portion of the support member is displaced away from the backing member by the support member. 
     
     
       3. The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the support member is arranged above the backing member and at least a portion of the support member is displaced toward the backing member by the support member. 
     
     
       4. The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the support member is made of a material that prevents the support member from being compressed. 
     
     
       5. The applicator of  claim 4 , wherein the backing member is substantially impervious to the coating material. 
     
     
       6. The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the backing member includes a generally cylindrical shape and includes an outer surface, the support member extending in a generally circular helix around the outer surface of the backing member. 
     
     
       7. The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein a distance between the first and second sides of the liquid absorbing material is greater than a thickness of the support member. 
     
     
       8. The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the support member includes a raised projection extending outward from a surface of the backing member and adjoining the liquid absorbing material. 
     
     
       9. An applicator for applying a coating material, the applicator comprising:
 a generally cylindrical backing member including an exterior surface; 
 a support member extending outward from the exterior surface of the backing member; and 
 a liquid absorbing member attached to the exterior surface of the backing member and including an outer surface and defining a channel extending from the exterior surface of the backing member to the outer surface; 
 wherein the support member is in the channel. 
 
     
     
       10. The applicator as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising a handle, the handle is connected to the backing member. 
     
     
       11. The applicator as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the support member comprises a plurality of individual raised members extending outward from the backing member. 
     
     
       12. The applicator as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the support member extends in a generally circular helix around an outer circumference of the backing member. 
     
     
       13. The applicator as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the support member includes a first edge arranged adjacent the backing member and an opposite second edge displaced away from the backing member, the liquid absorbing member extending outward from the exterior surface of the backing member and beyond the second edge of the support member. 
     
     
       14. The applicator as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the support member is a spring, the spring has an outside diameter substantially the same as an outside diameter of the liquid absorbing member.